A QUIET GAME

NZ Truth, Issue 612, 10 March 1917, Page 2

A QUIET GAME

Boys and the "Broads"

Binful Manner of Spending the

"Sawboth"

(From "Truth's" Auckland Rep.)

Evidently Chief- detect! vo McMahon'fl knowledge of cards is not very extensive and the method of playing poker is quite unknown to him. This was shown when "half-a-dozen lads were brought before Magistrate Cutten at the Auckland Police Court on Monday last charged with fracturing the "Sawboth" by taking part In a game of chance on Sunday.' . .

Tho Chief -detective said that complaints had been received about

YOUTHS PLAYING CARDS m a shed m the vicinity of College Hill and on Sunday lost Detectives Cumtnlngs with Constables 'McHuglv and Robinson wero told' off to • ( ruri the "desperate criminals" to, earth. However, the eight of a "Cop" caused tho "school^ to desert the. shed, but they did riot abandon the^ game, and tho threo Sherlock If olmeiefe ratter showing much tact suddenly ettptured the.. half r dozon riesperadofts pldying"penny draw; poker or. three-card v bluff" m a shop doorway for a "penny a corner." How th(?y could play draw poker or bluff for. a penny" a corner. Is ha'rtl.;to see, but what the chief "demon" probably meant was "penny rises/ Tho hardened gamblers who would recklessly wager "tuppenco" or even "thruppence" on four i "bullets" or iv routine flush were caught red -handed, and like most poker schools lurid language was tho outstanding foature. Magistrate Cutten ttald that card playing was a MISERABLY TRIVIAL.WAY of upending the Sabbath. Card play* Ing, even for pennlen. was regarded as neriouH by the Gaming Act and the maximum penalty was set at £50. Ills Worship then took a "hand" wnd rose each of fhp'vplnycrH^ "throe quid!' with an extra 7s for "Hoyalty.". They were allowed a month to owe it.